SleepySakuraTree

。゜✿ฺ✿ฺ゜。 Chapter 1  ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

January is drawing to a close... Flure's birthday is approaching. This year's birthday... I've decided to celebrate the butlers with a floral theme. I want to give them flowers that bloom this season, flowers that perfectly suit them. I reflected on my feelings for Flure... I decided to give him "white narcissus" flowers. Rumor has it there's a narcissus field near Espoir. I resolved to present him with a "birthday date" at that very field.... But. A birthday present consisting only of a date feels somehow lacking. Holding onto that feeling... I proceeded with preparations for Flure's birthday date.

»•» Flure's Birthday «•«

I had told Flure beforehand... that I wanted to give him a "birthday date" as a present. By the way, I hadn't told Flure where we were going. Since it was a date at the narcissus field... I got the butler's help early in the morning... After making a bento, I waited for Flure to come to my room.

Knock knock...

Flure: Master, is it okay if I come in?

↪ Come in. ↪ Go ahead.

Click....

Flure: Good morning, Master.

↪ That's a lovely outfit. ↪ Your birthday outfit suits you well.

Flure: Thank you. Hearing Master say that... makes all the effort I put into this year's outfit worthwhile. With this outfit...  I feel like I can walk proudly beside Master. Though... I never cut corners when making any outfit, you know.

↪ That's impressive. ↪ You're a true professional.

Flure: Yes! I am the costume manager, after all! Wait... no, no... I didn't come here to chat today. Master.  Thank you again for this wonderful invitation. ...A birthday date with Master... That... makes me incredibly happy. By the way, where are we going today?

↪ It's still a secret.

Flure: I-I see. Hehe... A date plan Master thought up just for me... My heart is already overflowing with happiness before we even leave!

↪ Let's have fun today.

Flure: Yes, of course! Well then, let's get started... Let's begin getting ready to go out. It's still cold this season... Let's go out in a warm and stylish outfit.

And so, we... began getting ready to go out.

{.⋅ ۵Central Land Espoir۵ ⋅.}

As we walked through town toward the narcissus fields... we found a gathering of many stalls. Beautiful dolls, dresses, and adorable knick-knacks lined the shop fronts. It seemed to be the venue for the Doll Market.

Flure: Oh, right. Come to think of it, it starts today!

↪ Today?

Flure: Yes! For a few days only, lots of stalls selling doll supplies are set up.

↪ Really...?

Flure: Wow, amazing...! Everything from doll bodies to shoes—they have it all!

↪ It's so vibrant. ↪ Looks like fun.

Flure: With so many shops, I might get carried away...! Wait, I'm on a date with Master right now. Sorry, Master... I just...

↪ No need to apologize.

I smiled back at Flure, who was apologizing apologetically. Then, something suddenly occurred to me.

↪ (This is where I give the birthday present...)

Flure has always loved bisque dolls. So much so that he still occasionally makes doll outfits even now. If I gave him a new doll as a present, he might be happy. Thinking that, I... I changed my plans a bit and decided to pick out a present at the doll market.

↪ Hey, Flure

Flure: Yes, what is it, Master?

↪ Let me give you a doll here

Flure: Huh? A doll for me? You mean as a birthday present, right?

↪ Yeah

Flure: I'm so happy! Master! Thank you so much!

↪ I'm glad you like it.

Flure: Hmm~ Which one should I choose? This is so hard to decide.

Flure's eyes sparkled as she scanned the shops at the doll market. And so, to find a doll Flure would like... we began wandering through the vibrant venue.

{.⋅ ۵A Corner of the Market۵ ⋅.}

After walking for a while... we eventually reached the edge of the venue. The dolls displayed in the shopfront lacked the glamour we'd seen earlier... instead possessing a classical elegance.

↪ Chic and lovely...

Flure: Hehe, yes. This area seems to be where the long-established doll shops have their stalls. The dolls themselves are lovely too... It has such a calming atmosphere.

As we were talking... An elderly woman appeared from the back of the shop across from us.

Doll Shop Owner: Oh ho ho... Thank you for taking a liking to an old shop like ours. Now then, do take a look at more of our lovely dolls. We won't charge you anything just to look.

Flure: W-well...

Flure and I exchanged glances... then approached her stall. Thick books were stacked flat against the black-themed shopfront... and beautiful bisque dolls sat perched atop them. But the one that caught my eye was a boy doll with light blue hair. It had an air of refinement within its cuteness, giving off a somehow cool impression.

↪ (Somehow, it reminds me of Flure...)

As I stared intently... Flure beside me gave a small laugh.

Flure: Hehe... Did you take a liking to that one, Master?

↪ Yeah, I thought it was lovely because it reminded me of Flure.

Flure: ....! R-Reminds me of me...

Flure blushed and looked away, perhaps pleased by my words...

Flure: ....... Master likes a doll that resembles me... ..........Alright. Understood. Then...

Flure turned back to the shopkeeper with a tense expression.

Flure: Um, well... Could I have this one? ....As a gift.

↪ Huh?

Doll Shop Owner: Oh, absolutely. I'll just go get something to wrap it in.

The shop owner said that and disappeared into the back of the shop.

Flure: ...Phew. Talking to strangers is still so exhausting...

↪ A gift? Could it be...

Flure: Yes.  It's a present from me to Master.

↪ But today is Flure's birthday...

Flure: No, don't worry about it.  I just wanted to give Master a present. Master planned today's birthday date for me...  Please let me at least do this much to thank you.

↪ Flure...

Just as I was about to say "thank you"... I caught sight of a white cat out of the corner of my eye. The white cat was climbing onto a stack of books lined up by the dolls. Noticing my gaze, Flure also turned toward the white cat. Then, the white cat flinched... and tried to run away in a hurry.

White Cat: Meow meow!

Dash...!!

↪ Ah! The doll's falling...!

My premonition came true... The white cat collided with a doll and bolted from the spot.

Thud...!

The doll the white cat knocked over... was none other than the bisque doll Flure had picked out for me earlier. Bisque dolls are made of porcelain. "What if the impact just now broke it..." That worry flashed through my mind.

Flure: Um... It's... it's okay, Master. Fortunately, it doesn't seem broken.

↪ That's good...

Flure: ...!!

↪ What's wrong?

Flure: It's just... When the cat hit it, maybe its claws caught on... the costume has a small tear...

Looking at it, the costume was indeed slightly torn. But it didn't seem like a major tear.

↪ It's fine, don't worry about it.

Flure: Master... I'll sew the costume later. I'll repair it nicely, so don't worry.

↪ Thanks, Flure.

While we were talking... the shop owner, a woman, returned from the back. We explained the situation... and she agreed to wrap the doll with the torn costume right away.

Doll Shop Owner: Well then... I'll wrap the doll up right now.

As the shopkeeper started to begin the work... I spoke up.

↪Um... could you wrap one more for me?

Doll Shop Owner: Of course.  Which one would you like?

↪ I want to give him the one he likes.

Flure: ....!

↪ Flure, you can pick one you like too.

Flure: Thank you, Master.  Well then, I'll take you up on that... Um, well... then... That one... the one on the far right... The one that looks like Master... I want... it.

As if embarrassed to say it, Flure's face flushed crimson all the way to his ears.

Doll Shop Owner: Ho ho ho. You two are such sweethearts.

{.⋅ ۵Espoir Back Alley۵ ⋅.}

»•» A little while later «•«

We each paid for our dolls... and received the dolls we'd given each other.

Flure: Master. Thank you for the wonderful birthday present.

↪ I'll treasure this doll.

Flure: Hehe... Yes.  Please take good care of it. Now then...  So, what should we do next...?

↪ There's a place I want to take Flure.

Flure: Understood.  Then, please lead the way. This venue is starting to get crowded with what seem like tourists.

Saying that, Flure held out one hand to me.

Flure: Master, I'll carry your belongings.

Apparently, Flure... seems to be trying to take the basket holding the doll I received.

↪ Thanks, but I'll pass.

Flure: Eh...?

↪ I want to carry my own present. ↪ I like to keep the things I love close by.

Flure: I-I see...

Flure made a strange expression, seeming both embarrassed and disappointed. Apparently, he was happy that I liked the gift he gave me... But maybe he was disappointed he couldn't carry my luggage. I didn't want to cloud his expression on his special birthday... So I offered him the hand not holding the basket.

↪ Take this one instead.

Flure: Ah, Master...?

↪ I'd like you to escort me.

Flure: ....! Hehe... Yes, leave it to me, Master.

{.⋅ ۵The Path to the Lake۵ ⋅.}

»•» A few minutes later «•«

I was being led by Flure... toward the lake.

Flure: Phew... That was quite a walk, Master. Are you tired?

↪ I'm fine.

Flure: I see. If anything happens, please tell me right away.

↪ Thanks. By the way...

Flure: Hm...? Is something wrong?

↪ It's about your hand, Flure...

I was holding hands with him... and I told him what I felt. Through the gloves, Flure's palm... felt just a little bit bumpy.

↪ Could it be... calluses?

Flure: Eh...!

Flure reacted with exaggerated surprise... then shyly took off his gloves. And on his small hands... Several small calluses and corns had formed.

Flure: Haha... I never thought you'd notice. These are from sword and bow training. They're far from the elegant hands you'd expect from a wardrobe attendant... But if they're starting to become hands that can protect Master... Honestly, I'm happy.

↪ Flure...

Flure: Ah, but... I won't skip my daily hand care! I want them to be beautiful hands I can proudly offer to Master...  I want them to be beautiful hands.

Saying that, Flure re-adjusted his gloves... then took my hand again and started walking. Flure's hands were small and soft overall, but even through the gloves, I could feel the traces of his effort. Being escorted by him like this... felt somehow embarrassing and yet incredibly reassuring at the same time.

。゜✿ฺ✿ฺ゜。 Chapter 2  ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

{.⋅ ۵Espoir Suburbs - White Narcissus Field۵ ⋅.}

We arrived at our destination, the daffodil field. A beautiful lake also spread out before us. The blue sky and lake... They created a contrast with the white daffodils, making it a truly beautiful place.

↪ I wanted to show you these daffodils.

Flure: They're blooming so beautifully. And there are so many...

↪ Do you like them?

Flure: Of course! Thank you so much for bringing me to such a wonderful place!

↪ Shall we start looking around?

Flure: Yes.

And so, we began our stroll through the narcissus field. In each of our hands was a basket holding the dolls we'd given each other. And our other hands... had been linked since we left the market.

»•» A little while later «•«

After enjoying our stroll... we sat by the lake and ate lunch. Flure was thrilled by the homemade bento I'd prepared... his face beaming with happiness the whole time as he ate it with such obvious delight.

Flure: Phew... Thank you for the meal. Master. Thank you so much for going out of your way to make this bento just for me today.

↪ It's your birthday, so this much is the least I could do.

Flure: Hehe, I suppose so... It is my birthday, after all. So, getting to go on a date just the two of us...  Even if I get such a wonderful present, it's okay, right?

Saying that, Flure smiled... He gazed at the dolls in the basket. Since he had them, he unwrapped them... Placing both figures side by side in the basket. But halfway through... Flure's expression grew slightly complicated.

↪ Is something wrong?

Flure: Huh? Ah, no... N-nothing at all!

↪ Is something bothering you?

Flure: Not at all. Really, truly nothing at all.

↪ Hard to tell me?

Flure: No, it's not like that...

Flure looked away, seeming troubled... but eventually, hesitantly, opened his mouth.

Flure: I'm sorry for making you worry. Actually... I've been a little concerned about the doll I gave Master.

↪ The one Flure gave me?

Flure: Yes, that one... Master said this doll looks like me, right? That Master liked a doll like that... I was really happy about it... But for Master, I'm not someone cool... Am I just someone cute, like this doll?

↪ Flure...

Flure usually... dislikes being called cute and works hard to be cool. So for him... it might have been a shock that I liked a doll resembling him.

Flure: ...I'm sorry.  It was rude of me towards Master, who liked this doll. Honestly... thinking like this was uncool of me. I'm truly sorry.  Please forget it, Master.

Flure said this, looking down apologetically.

↪ I don't think it's rude at all.

Flure: Master...? 

↪ The reason I liked this doll is...

..........

"But among them, the one that caught my eye was the doll of a boy with light blue hair." "That doll possessed an air of refinement within its cuteness, giving off a refreshingly cool impression."

Flure: Refinement within cuteness, and refreshingly cool...? So that means...

↪ Yeah, Flure, you're cool.

Flure: Master....

↪ So don't be down.

After saying that, I... explained why I brought him to this daffodil field today. T he white narcissus's meaning is "respect"... I respect Flure for being hardworking and giving his all even to things he struggles with... I wanted to convey that feeling... That's why I chose to come here as a gift for his special birthday.

Flure: ...Master. You think of me that way... Hehe... Master always makes me smile, you know. ...Thank you. For thinking I'm cool.

Seeing him lift the corners of his mouth happily... I couldn't help but smile too.

Flure: Heh heh... I'm glad I could come to this lake with Master today.

Saying that, Flure... picked up a single narcissus and offered it to me.

↪ This is for me...?

Flure: Master, did you know? Narcissus also have the flower meaning "self-love." Back then, I was always so lacking in confidence... I was just timid all the time... But thanks to Master constantly saying such wonderful things to me... I've been able to gradually accept myself and become more positive. Of course, I am a butler... So it's not really appropriate for me to keep being encouraged by Master... But Master's smiles, words, memories...  And above all, the fact that Master is alive today... Has allowed me, who was always lacking confidence and timid... To grow little by little. So, even someone like me... Can say this with pride. The one who cares about Master the most... Is absolutely me. Being able to convey these feelings on your birthday... Makes me incredibly happy.

↪ Flure...

Flure's cheeks are flushed as he says this... But his expression is incredibly radiant. I... Gently take the narcissus he offers. And then, just like him... I pluck a single daffodil and present it before him.

↪ I can say it proudly too ↪ I care about you, Flure

Flure: .......! Ah, Master...

↪ Happy birthday, Flure

Flure: Hehe... Yes, thank you!

Flure said that... and took the narcissus as if touching something precious. Tears of joy welled in his eyes... Yet to me, he still seemed pure and cool.

.........…

....…

»•» A few days later «•«

Early one morning... I woke to find a doll sitting by my bedside. Looking at the doll's outfit... the torn parts had been neatly mended. And there, something not present when I bought it... a small white narcissus embroidery had been added.

↪ Flure...

I hugged that doll tightly to my chest... vowing to cherish it forever.

.·:*¨༺ End ༻¨*:·.

Bonus! His other eye 🥹🫶